Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

December 15, 2008                    Monday                                     5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Commrs. Jim Duffy, Steven Hopkins, Zeljka Howard, Anthony Palazzo, Chris Weber, Vice-Chair Greg Wilhelm, and Chairperson Allen Root 

Commrs. Duffy & Howard were absent. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:   

The agenda was accepted as submitted. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

There was no public comment other than on regular agenda items. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.   3600 S. Higuera Street.  ARC/ER 116-08; Environmental review and design review of a moving company office and mini-storage facility; C-S zone; Steve Saldo, applicant.  (Continued from November 3, 2008, meeting)  (Phil Dunsmore) 

On a 5:0 vote, the ARC approved the Mitigated Negative Declaration and granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to mitigation measures, conditions, and code requirements.  The Commission felt that the proposed project would really enhance the appearance of the site and thought that the clean, modern design was appropriate at this location.  

2.   1118 Palm Street.  ARC 36-08; Review plans to add an approximately 2,400 square-foot addition to accommodate a 15-bed elderly care facility; O zone; Richard & Jan Carsel, applicants.  (Tyler Corey)  

On a 5:0 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings and subject to conditions and code requirements.  The Commission appreciated the architect’s efforts to produce a design for the addition that is both compatible with the historic house but also distinctive from it in keeping with direction from the Cultural Heritage Committee and applicable historic preservation guidelines. 

3.   1120 Morro Street.  ARC 77-08; Review of new, four-story mixed-use building in the C-D-H zone; SLO Investments, LLC, applicant.  (Pam Ricci)

On a 5:0 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements.  The Commission agreed that the proposed building design was exceptional, so their discussion focused on relatively minor building details and code questions.  A condition was added to explore alternative materials to pre-cast concrete to provide a lighter appearance to proposed balustrades. Mark Rawson addressed the ARC on behalf of Copeland Properties who own the adjacent property to the north, noting that he agreed that the building was attractive but questioned how it might impact the ability of the adjacent property to redevelop. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

1.           Staff: 

a.   Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for upcoming meetings. 

b.   399 Foothill - Pam Ricci noted that an appeal by neighbors had been filed on the ARC’s decision to grant final approval to the revised project design. 

2.           Commission: 

a.  Minutes:  December 1, 2008 - The minutes were approved as submitted. 

b.     Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

The Commission had a brief, general discussion about size thresholds for different types of residential units, various techniques to harvest storm water on sites, and treatment of property line buildings in the downtown.  

ADJOURNMENT 

The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Architectural Review Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the Community Development Department, 919 Palm Street, during normal business hours.